Champions League Draw for Last 16

First topic message reminder :

Galatasaray v Schalke

Celtic v Juventus

Arsenal v Bayern Munich

Shakhtar Donetsk v Borussia Dortmund

AC Milan v Barcelona

Real Madrid v Manchester United

Valencia v Paris St Germain

Porto v Malaga

Barcelona on the brink tomorrow... It seems inconceivable that the same Milan team that just about snuck in is about to beat Mes que un club. Truth be told, though, while Barcelona have run away with the league, they have been exposed at the back numerous times. Because of that, I cant see Rossinieri not scoring and thus I cant see Barca scoring four goals. They have won one game in their last four in Europe, as well as a double dosage of defeat vs Los Blancos, I cannot see a way through for Barca.

How will defeat affect Barca financially? Messi just signed a 6 year contract worth £110m, with Barcas debt, this may be a very costly defeat.

Having done some rough mental calculations, I have concluded that through 2009, Messi has cost Barca almost as much as CR7s package...

I actually fancy Barca to turn this one around. They get an early goal - inside 20 minutes or so - and they are more than capable of scoring 4 or more.

They are still the best team in Europe for my money.

Wilshere, Sagna and Podolski all injury doubts for Arsenal tomorrow. Just the tonic!

Arsene Wenger has confirmed Wilshere is out 3-4 weeks, and he is going to rest Chesney.

Yes that's right, send the right message Arsene. Could get ugly for the Arsenal. Fabianski or Mannone could be playing. Yikes

I dont put anything past Barca, but theyve lost four in a row to teams with European championships.
twice to Rmad
once to Celtic
once to Milan

They have not been as dominant as Munchen, as fluent as Dortmund or as dogged as Madrid.

For my money Munchen and Dortmund are the the favourites. Madrid are third on the pile. Theyve been incredibly dogged this year. Last minute winners vs Man City, Late goal to tie vs Dortmund. and a come from behind vs Utd (say what you want about playing ten man but coming from behind away from home is impressive.

what a goal from barca. world class finish from messi

You can never write off a team of Barca's quality.

Niang misses a sitter and now its 2-0

Messi is just ridiculous

Even before this game I expected Barca to make the final, they are still the favourites without doubt.

They know how to win this tournament alot better than Munich, Dortmund & Madrid.

4-0 in the end to Barca, Messi. What. A. Player. Galatasaray are also through against Schalke.

You guys see this?

https://twitter.com/robsnodgrass7//311587398322618368/photo/1

Can't even begin to imagine how mental he went when that 4th Barca goal went in!

Unbelievable luck. Different game, I know, but I actually said last night when watching the ending of the Galatasaray game that the winning goal would of been welcome for many people's accumulators last night, seeing as Galatasaray were like 4-1 to win. Sure some people were rewarded.

As for Galatasaray, if they can draw the winners of Porto/Malaga in the QF's then they should comfortably go through, too much quality in there. Still don't think they can win, it's between Bayern, Madrid & Barcelona for me. This Dortmund team have never been there and done it and lack the experience to go the full way.

To be honest I watched that 1st leg of the Schalke-Gala match in Turkey and Schalke should have won that by 2/3 goals, missed a hatful of chances. Can't see Gala causing too much of a problem for the bigger teams in the comp

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-2292587/Gary-Lineker-Arsenal-fans-fury-Arsene-Wenger-dropping-players.html

If true then Wenger appears to be thinking: "What's the point? We surrender."

Why do players need to be rested? They only have this and the Prem left! You never see Messi or Ronaldo being rested, barmy Mr Wenger absolutrly barmy

I've always wondered if Arsenal maybe need to revamp their fitness procedures as they seem to suffer from injuries more than any other side. Rosicky's career has been ruined by them, Diaby is constantly injured, Wilshere took over a year to come back from his injury, Van Persie was constantly injured at Arsenal but has played nearly a full season as United despite being older.

Crazy!

The only goal for Arsernal is CL, yet they dont care about it in tourny.

Of course its all about the money for getting in to it!

But jeas. This is football mixed with money gone mad..

actually Messi and Ronaldo don't play every game in la Liga, though they do play most. Chelsea will be forced to rest players in the coming few weeks given how congested their fixture list has become.

I'm a bit unsure on this move by Wenger though: like you say he's basically admitting his team have zero chance, which is probably about true, and as such is prioritising the league where they still have a chance of finishing fourth (or even third). However, equally the fans have every right to feel frustrated, you want your team going out to win every game and it's not obvious Arsenal are doing that tonight.

Like Piers Morgan said on twitter, what's the point in trying to qualify for a tournament if when you're in it you dont try and compete.

All those fans (3,000 of them i believe) have travelled out there to see him put out a second string side. Pathetic.

He rested the whole first team for the f.a cup blackburn clash, prioritising the first leg vs Bayern and they lost the f.a cup game and the first leg. He will rest most of his first team for tonight's game vs Bayern which they will lose. They will be out the champions league. He's done this to prioritise the top 4 finish and the game against swansea at the weekend. Therefore, if they finish outside the top 4 then he must be sacked, no question and no more excuses. This club needs a totally new direction and management. There an embarrassment.

I agree with Piers(for once)

It defies the whole object of sport.

Arsenal have lost the objective of winning things or competing

Would actually love it if the gunners went won after this lol.

Same here. I am going to be supporting them.

Maybe its just a cunning plan!!

Podolski, Wilshere, Chesney all definately out. Walcott, Cazorla, Sagna, Mertesacker all potentially out or being "rested". Fabianski is playing.

If they lose by less than 2 goals it'll be a miracle

I think it would be excellent if they went through now though, they'd need a miracle though.

Wenger doesn't have the squad depth to be able to rest that many players and get a respectable result.

What will the team look like then:

-------------------Fabianski

Jenkinson--Koscielny--Vermaelen--Gibbs

--------------Arteta--------Diaby

---------------------Rosicky

Chamberlain---------------------Gervinho

----------------------Giroud

? What will their bench look like?!

I don't think Mannone's deserving of all the flack he gets. I can't recall him doing anything of the calibre of Flappyhandski, that's for sure.

Dont get me wrong I want them to go through too, just like I wanted Utd to go through last week!

Unless something drastic happens I cant see it. Remember Norwich are still the only English team to beat Bayern in Bayern (without the need for penalites)

The Special Juan wrote:I don't think Mannone's deserving of all the flack he gets. I can't recall him doing anything of the calibre of Flappyhandski, that's for sure.

I'd look up what he did against Galatasary (I think! May have been Fernebache) last season. There's not much to choose between the two. Both pants

A very quick look has resulted in this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgujMNqLKYM

I think he'll grow into a decent GK; from what I can remember he was a good enough shot-stopper.

Edit: He's 25, maybe not.

BBC Sport ‏@BBCSport
Arsenal team v Bayern: Fabiański, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Jenkinson, Gibbs, Rosický, Arteta, Walcott, Ramsey, Santi Cazorla, Giroud #afc

Stronger than expected

Henry Winter ‏@henrywinter
#fcbm: Neuer; Lahm, Dante, Van Buyten, Alaba; Javi Martínez, Luiz Gustavo; Muller, Kroos, Robben; Mandzukic.

That Bayern team is ridiculous though. I think Bayern are better in every position.

Stronger team than expected then. Good luck Arsenal, get an early goal and heap the pressure on! I obviously can't see that happening though, 3 maybe 4 nil to Bayern tonight.

Van Buyten? I don't get that one; are Badstuber and Boateng injured?

I'm probably alone here but I think Arsenal will make a game of it at least. Still think Bayern will progress overall mind. 2-2 draw.

early goal but it still wont be enough

At least they're giving it a go.

Do my eyes deceive me?

Arsenal still need 2 goals. Can't see it

Come on Arsernal!

what is the point of giroud? seriously, great counter attack by arsenal and he attempts a half volley from 30 yards, idiot

Considering Arsenal scored pretty early on, they haven't really pushed on have they

Game on

Come on. Get another

Olly wrote:Considering Arsenal scored pretty early on, they haven't really pushed on have they

Olly you need to stop jinxing it!! 1 minute before they scored

PUT IT IN THE BOX OH MY GOD PUT IT IN THE BOX

What on earth is Mikel Arteta doing

good try.

but not quite

Great effort from arsenal, no English sides in the last 8

liverpool and arsenal both out on away goals